Stop! Take some time to think ...

I've been meaning to write about this atrocity for 2 months: Solange Knowles' cover of the Dirty Projectors' "Stillness is the Move."

And now, TIME Magazine gives her a mention on the No. 6 song of the year. Click the link to listen to the original and her "rendition."

It's HORRID!
(Almost as bad as Billy Corgan botching "Landslide.")

COMPLETELY unoriginal and just like every other R&B song.

Shame on you, TIME.

I'm so over the deep-fried turkey stigma.

Bonappetit.com has a poll right now about the best way to cook a turkey. Choices:

Salted generously overnight and then roasted
Brined and roasted
Grilled
Roasted with butter and herbs under the skin
Roasted with a spice rub
Roasted and basted with a glaze

Hello?! Bon Appetit is all the time singing the praises of Southern food, but they refuse to acknowledge the deep-fried turkey. And it's not even contained to the South anymore. My bona fide Yankee husband and I have been exclusively deep-frying our Thanksgiving birds for 4 years now.

So let's stop pretending it doesn't exist and TRY IT. I promise it will be the easiest and tastiest turkey you've ever made.

I had a 4 out of 5 success rate at this year's Cucalorus.

In order of enjoyment, they were:
5. Calvin Marshall
4. The Messenger
3. TiMer
2. That Evening Sun
1. Mississippi Damned

I'm so glad I had the opportunity to see them! The top 4 all made me laugh ... and tear up a little bit. (Or in the case of "Mississippi Damned," cry uncontrollably.)

I can't stop thinking about "Mississippi Damned," and apparently, I'm not alone. At lunch today, my friend who saw it said "I just looked at that woman sitting back there and wondered if she's ever been abused like the women in that movie."

Yes, it was severely disturbing. But it also had the most impact. So here's a trailer from my favorite Cucalorus film.

I've been looking at the book longingly for a year. (I don't like to buy books, because once I read them, they're done with. That's what the library's for!)

But when I found out -- in Entertainment Weekly -- that it involves 3 months of eating in Rome, well ... I went out and bought it the next day.

I love everything she writes about Rome, from the way people eat gelato as an after-breakfast snack to the way Rome doesn't have to compete for standing in the EU because it is, after all, the Eternal City.

I am obsessed with that culture and that city.

I bought this dress in Sportstaff in Rome and I'm getting looks from everyone (I'm sure the plaid tights from Goldenpoint don't help). I love it!

The wedding beautiful ... Italy was life-changing ... will post pics soon!

I don't go back to work till Friday. Good thing, too, because I seem to have caught a cold. Why does that always happen after vacation?

I had intentions of filing name-change forms today, but I don't feel like leaving the house.

Guess I'll catch up on the DVR. Got about 7 hours of recorded shows. Yikes!

When I was in ninth grade, a girl I had classes with said to me, "Have you ever really wanted to be friends with someone but you know it just takes time?"

We ended up being best friends throughout high school.

Aside from Myrinda, this is the only other time I've really wanted to be friends with a particular person.

It's different once you're out of school. Friendships require effort.

You have to plan around work, responsibilities and significant others.

It's kinda like that movie "I Love You Man." You have to make a man-date (or in my case, a girl-date), and that's scary.

But ... I haven't had a truly genuine girlfriend since I moved here. And it might be worth it.

Like Myrinda said, it just takes time.

I spent 3 hours last night making this brownie-bottom lemon cheesecake for Steelers kickoff party tonight! (Black and gold, get it?)

But wait, there's more! T is deep frying a turkey, served with rye bread, swiss cheese, cranberry sauce and homemade cole slaw for sandwiches; sweet potato fries; a homemade jalapeno-olive cheese ball & crackers; and of course beer and wine.

Interesting article that I can totally relate to:
www.newsweek.com/id/214608

 Saw 'Inglourious Basterds' last night.

I wrote a headline for the paper that called it 'Over-the-top Tarantino,' because, well, that's what the reviewer implied. (For the record, the reviewer gave it 2.5 stars out of 4.)

But it's not over-the-top Tarantino, because, well, I loved it.

I'll admit it -- I was just going to see it with Todd because I had dragged him to 'Julie and Julia' a couple weeks ago. (Meryl Streep, by the way, makes me want to be as ebullient and talented as Julia Child.)

I was all worried about being horrified and grossed out, because while I loved 'Kill Bill vols. 1 & 2,' I can't stomach 'Reservoir Dogs.' Or even parts of 'Pulp Fiction.'

But by the end of 'Inglourious Basterds' I was biting my nails in suspense ... and the scalping and carving swastikas in people's heads didn't really phase me! Numb to violence? Nah. It's kind of hard NOT to hope something bad happens to the Nazis.

So some people probably say Tarantino sold out and made a real blockbuster (after all, it was the top grossing movie last weekend). But I quite enjoyed it.

Apparently, I wasn't the only one who had a strong reaction to Time's article "Why exercise won't make you thin."
As a frequent gym-goer, the article left me a little discouraged and a lot confused.

Discouraging: If my body is programmed to be hungry after a strenuous workout, and my willpower cannot withstand a huge calorie deficit ... well ... maybe I really should skip the gym.

Confusing: But working out isn't all about being "thin." For me, it's about feeling stronger, more confident, and having more energy.
However, dropping a few pants sizes has been a benefit as well.

I came across this article on MSN and was pleased to see a rebuttal.

Upon Googling the article, I realized the backlash has been bigger than I thought:

L.A. Times asks, 'What were you thinking?'

Obesity Panacea calls it 'misguided advice'

Thank you!

I recorded the second-season marathon of 'Mad Men' and am 4 episodes in.

I've been hearing about the show for a while, but seeing Jon Hamm on 'SNL' and '30 Rock' confirmed that I must watch it.

I'm kinda lost, as I missed season one, but I will continue watching for Don Draper in his fedoras.

Update 8/16: I am officially obsessed. I can't wait for the season 3 premiere tonight!

 I go in for my trial hair and makeup next weekend.

I've already planned what to say to Amy, the hairdresser:

"I need a miracle hairdo. It has to last from noon (my ceremony) to 9:30 p.m. (the end of my reception). And did I mention I'm getting married on the beach, so it has to withstand the ocean breeze?"

That same day, we're meeting with Kevin to talk photos and get some taken for announcements we're sending to family who won't be at the wedding.

Todd worked up the invitations last night. Wasn't that sweet of him? I haven't seen them yet, but I trust they look nice. He has more practical design experience than I do. (I still must approve -- I jokingly told him NO Comic Sans.)

Reading: Just finished "The Hour I First Believed."
All three of Wally Lamb's novels are like crack. (Just don't do Lamb on audiobook while you're driving. 6 years ago, I got so involved in "She's Come Undone" while driving across West Virginia that I pummeled some orange traffic barrels when a semi nearly ran me off the road.)

Listening: "A Love Extreme" by Benji Hughes.
A co-worker introduced me.

Watching: "No Reservations"
Tonight Tony's in Australia!

LOL!!!!

I think this is the saddest song. EVER.
Every time I listen to it, I try not to cry.

Todd and I bought a MacBook last weekend!

We named it Maxime. (Yes, as in Talbot).

This song's been out a while, but I love it.

I went to a cobbler
to fix a hole in my shoe
he took one look at my face and said
"I can fix that hole in you."
I beg your pardon, I'm not looking for a cure
I've seen enough from my friends
in the depths of the Godsick blues

You know I am a liar
You know I am a liar
Nobody helps a liar

... And you don't know what I've done

COMPLAINTS:

#1: I have to work on Thanksgiving.

#2: I gave up coffee. I'm cranky. Not to mention constipated, haha.

#3: I haven't seen my mom in a year, and I've seen my Dad and siblings for approximately 1 day in 2008. But Todd's parents are coming for Christmas. Their second time here since June.

HOLIDAYS. They're here again, and I'm miserable again.

After a particularly stressful work day a couple weeks ago, I heard this song on the drive home and it totally changed my mood.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WGOohBytKTU

It almost makes me want to get HBO so I can watch their show.